Abstract
Earth Observation (EO) scientists are facing unprecedented volumes of data, which continue to grow with the increasing number of satellite missions and advancements in spatial and temporal resolution. Traditional approaches, such as downloading satellite data for local processing, are no longer viable. As a result, EO science is rapidly transitioning to cloud-based technologies and open science practices. However, despite the swift evolution and widespread adoption of these new methods, the availability of training resources remains limited, posing a challenge for educating the next generation of EO scientists. The free Massive Open Online Course Cubes & Clouds - Cloud Native Open Data Sciences for Earth Observation (https://eo-college.org/courses/cubes-and-clouds/) introduces data cubes, cloud platforms, and open science in Earth Observation. Aimed at Earth Science students, researchers, and Data Scientists, it requires basic EO knowledge and basic Python programming skills. The course covers the entire EO workflow, from data discovery and processing to sharing results in a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) manner. Through videos, lectures, hands-on exercises, and quizzes, participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in cloud-native EO processing. Students who successfully completed the course should confidently use cloud platforms for EO research and share their work following open science principles. The hands-on exercises use Copernicus data accessed through the SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog (STAC) to demonstrate two approaches for defining Earth Observation (EO) workflows: the openEO API and the Pangeo software stack. Participants engage in similar exercises using both methods, allowing them to compare their benefits and limitations. This approach provides a deeper understanding of the importance of APIs and standards in modern EO practices. In the final exercise, participants collaborate on a community snow cover map, mapping small areas of the Alps and submitting results to a STAC catalogue and web viewer. This project demonstrates their ability to apply EO cloud computing and open science practices while adhering to FAIR standards. Upon successful completion of the course, each participant will receive a certificate which can be listed and integrated in their CV or shared easily. The talk will guide through the topics covered in Cubes & Clouds and show how they are presented in the EOCollege e-learning platform, the links to the exercises carried out on CDSE will be explored and the open science aspect will be shown in the community mapping project.